Franchise opportunities. Join the largest estate and letting agency in the world

Transcription

1 Franchise opportunities Join the largest estate and letting agency in the world

2 Contents Introduction 1) The support we provide a) Exclusive territory b) Locating premises and branding c) Recruitment d) Technology e) Initial training f) Ongoing development and support g) Marketing support h) The central lettings service i) Earning additional revenue 2) Why estate and letting agency franchise? 3) A brighter road ahead 4) Frequently asked questions 5) Register your interest Page 1 Pages 2-7 Page 2 Page 2 Page 2 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page Page 13 Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities

3 LOCAL. NATIONAL. INTERNATIONAL. Century 21 is the world s largest estate and letting agency network, comprising of over 7,100 broker offices and approximately 100,000 agents in 74 countries worldwide*. Here in the UK, we are looking for new offices to join the Century 21 family, and help us to bring this truly international and exceptional brand to new locations nationwide. As a franchisee working within the UK network, you have the opportunity to become an estate and letting agency professional with unlimited earning potential, continuously supported by this proven model with worldwide success. There s never been a better time to get into the property sector; mortgage lending is on the up property transaction numbers are rising steadily the letting industry grows from strength to strength Here at Century 21 UK, we re really excited about the future ahead. In April 2013, we experienced some pretty big changes as we became part of the Shepherd Direct Group. This has already had a really positive impact on the support we are able to offer our office network. To find out more please see page 9. If you are considering setting up your own letting or estate agency, the Century 21 UK franchise model might be the right solution for you. Now is the right time. To register your interest in opening a Century 21 UK office, please speak to one of our Franchise Sales Directors. Call Or us at opportunities@century21uk.com *True at time of publication. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 1

4 1) The support we provide a) Exclusive territory: Once you have chosen your location, we are able to provide a protected territory around you. This will be agreed prior to signing the franchise agreement. b) Locating premises and branding: We will assist you in your search for a suitable location to operate from, based on the local market and competitor locations. We can make recommendations on everything from the office layout to your welcome mat, which you can see in the flesh before you buy by visiting our Model Office at the Training Academy (photographs on the following page). What s more, we are able to negotiate very competitive national deals with suppliers to bring your setup costs down. c) Recruitment: We can work alongside you when you are recruiting Sales Associates. We can help you to conduct recruitment seminars and interviews, and identify Associates with the correct skills required. We will also provide recruitment advertising templates, logos, brochures and presentations. 81% of franchisees in the UK believe they have a competitive advantage over other small businesses as the result of running a franchised business Annual British Franchise Association & Natwest Franchise Survey d) Technology: We will help you to setup your property management software and webpage, then train you how to list new properties and manage your leads so you are able to train your Sales Associates as quickly and efficiently as possible. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 2

5 e) Initial training: Induction: You and your Sales Associates will attend our comprehensive induction courses. These are frequently held in our Training Academy based in Nottingham. The induction course is designed to cover everything you need to know to ensure your business benefits and differentiates by adopting the Century 21 way, including: legislation sales strategies launch planning recruitment activity management You will be invited to attend further training courses designed to ensure you are equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to launch your business. Model Office: During your induction course, we will also show you our Model Office (right), so you can see the fittings we recommend to you in the flesh, before you make any decisions. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 3

6 f) Ongoing support and development: We believe our role as Franchisor isn t just about growing our office network, it s about developing new initiatives to support to our existing office network. Our Franchise Development Directors are your key support contacts, and are there to help you get the best out of your business. They will diarise regular contact meetings to discuss how your business is progressing and can offer direction and advice should you encounter a problem. Our Professional Development function is there to identify training and development opportunities through analysis and consultation with the Directors and Franchisees. You will be invited to additional training seminars throughout the year to support your business and enhance your revenue potential. I never expected to be doing this type of business so early in my career and I am regularly finding customers who choose me because they have been so disappointed with the service they have received in the past from traditional agents. Caroline Morrison Century 21 Airdrie & Coatbridge These seminar titles include: Winning Instructions Enhancing your fee Know your market Customer service and retention Property Management System Legislation Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 4

7 g) Marketing support: Our centralised Marketing Team are continuously getting the Century 21 name out there and developing new initiatives to build brand awareness and generate business for you. They are on hand to help get you started: Launch: We can recommend and help you to launch initiatives to get you noticed quickly, including local press coverage instigated by our PR agency and bespoke adverts in your local paper. Get in touch! Providing effective business collateral: Our Brand on Demand portal showcases hundreds of stationery and promotional collateral templates; you are able to browse, customise and order everything you need from here. If you don t see what you want, our team can draft it for you. Centralising all printed output in this way has also enabled us to negotiate incredibly competitive rates with our chosen print supplier. Helping you to get found online: Your office will get a dedicated homepage on the Century 21 UK website which you are able to customise. We also recognise that your main source of leads may be the leading property portals, so we have negotiated competitive deals for our offices who wish to list on Rightmove and Zoopla. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 5

8 h) The central lettings services: The cost effective letting management service, designed to allow you more time to win new business and nurture your existing client relationships by removing much of the time consuming administration work involved in letting and property management. About this service: designed exclusively for Century 21 UK fully integrated with property management system can help to mitigate legal liability and complaints access to expert advice (ARLA qualified) removes administrative processes allows you to be more proactive with your time, reducing missed opportunities allows your business to deliver a consistent service to landlords and tenants reduces staff costs allows you to earn a management fee with much of the work done by us! The team handle: - rent collection - rent arrears management - landlord payments - deposit management & returns - tenancy agreements - landlord statements - eviction processes - general administrative tasks Please contact us to find out more opportunities@century21uk.com Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 6

9 i) Earning additional revenue Century 21 UK operates a program of approved suppliers for associated services. They will deliver a great service to your clients, recommended by you. Mortgage Referrals Refer your clients for impartial, whole of market mortgage advice. How will this work for you? Consolidates sales process Reduces fall through rate Improves your pipeline conversion Maintains your control over the sale Qualifies viewers with an Agreement in Principle Qualified offers encourage seller confidence If I Were You is a whole of market Mortgage Broker and they are our approved partner for whole of market mortgage advice. If I Were You is the mortgage advice provider for a number of highly credible introducer partners, including Compare the Market, Google and Leeds Building Society, so you know your clients are going to get great service. Survey Referrals Refer your clients for a RICS Home Buyer Report and specialist reports. How will this work for you? Earn a commission per case Maintains your control over the sale Sell this before the lender does Improves your compliance with CPRs Prevents possible future fall through Builds a relationship for future assistance Our approved survey referral partner is Direct Valuations, who are an independent panel manager for property surveys and valuations. With over 20 years experience, Direct Valuations has been the valuation panel manager for many lenders including HSBC, First Direct, Virgin Money, Yorkshire and Clydesdale Banks and many more. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 7

10 2) Why an estate and letting agency franchise? If you want to start your own estate and lettings business and be your own boss, but you also like the idea of a support structure, then a franchise solution is right for you. We wanted to hit the ground running and with this kind of global awareness and big brand, Century 21 was the right fit. - Dan Pennington Century 21 Liverpool South Our franchise agreement grants you access to this powerful brand, providing a clear set of operational guidelines to enable you to represent Century 21 UK in the right way. Now is the right time for the estate agency sector: - Mortgage lending is on the up - Lenders are becoming increasingly more innovative with products and pricing - RICS predict house prices will continue to rise - Property transaction numbers are rising steadily And the lettings sector grows from strength to strength: - Over 4.5 million UK households rent their home - Experts predict 22% of households will be renting by 2025 Franchising continues to outperform the economic downturn with turnover up by 8% on Over 90% of franchise units continue to trade profitably Annual British Franchise Association & Natwest Franchise Survey Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 8

11 3) A brighter road ahead. Century 21 UK experienced some big changes in April 2013, as we became part of the Shepherd Direct Group. Shepherd Direct is a multi-disciplined residential property services group combining surveying and valuation panel management, lettings and property management, mortgage broking and estate agency. We are really happy to be part of the family. The group began in 1989 with Direct Valuations when the project team who launched First Direct identified that there was a necessity to arrange mortgage valuations across the country. 24 years on, the group now employs over 200 people with local sales offices in 30 locations around the country and head offices in Nottingham. The group arranges over 150,000 residential property valuations per year for all the leading mortgage lenders, serves over 800 landlords and originates over 100m of mortgage lending annually. What does this mean for Century 21 UK franchisees? With this added resource, we have already been able to enhance the support we offer our office network, ultimately improving the service they are able to offer their customers. We are also able to rapidly accelerate our appointment of new franchisees, bringing the Century 21 brand to more locations across the UK, meaning more brand exposure for our existing offices. Our objective is to become the preferred estate agency and lettings brand in the UK, mirroring the success seen by Century 21 master franchisors globally. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 9

12 4) Frequently asked questions. Do I need to operate from shop front premises? Yes, our agents must operate from a shop front premises. You may also operate from shared premises or integrate into an existing business, which in the right location, may be an option. Can I employ people to work for me? Yes, as a franchisee you can employ staff or choose to engage associates on a self-employed basis. We can work alongside you when you are recruiting Sales Associates, for more information, please refer back to page 2. Do I get my own website? You will be provided with your own homepage on our website which you are able to customise and publish your available properties to. This way you have your own presence whilst benefitting from the centralised activities of our Marketing team, such as search engine optimisation and paid-for advertising online. Where will my properties be advertised? You will have unlimited access to the Century 21 UK website which then feeds your properties to a number of property portals including, amongst others, Rightmove, Zoopla, Google and social media channels. The software we provide will help you to create property lists and mailers. Apart from the monthly continuation fee, are there any other fees that I must pay? No other set fees are required. The only other charge is your royalty payment on all fees earned. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 10

13 Do I have to charge a set commission rate? No, you have the ability at a local level to set the rates that you will charge clients for selling and letting their properties and any associated fees. Do I need any types of insurance or memberships? All estate agents in the UK must belong to a consumer redress scheme. You will have to become a member as a requirement of the agreement. You will also require Professional Indemnity (PI) cover. All estate agents in the UK must also be registered with the Office of Fair Trading for money laundering purposes. We can advise on current fees for each of these requirements. Is it compulsory that I have to do sales and lettings? Yes, all Century 21 UK offices must operate both sales and lettings. What does the training course involve? Our training is broken down into 3 different areas. The initial induction program is for all new agents and we will teach you how to operate as a sales and letting agent to ensure you understand the law and regulations and how to measure, advertise and promote properties. You will also be trained on how to use our software and complete client documentation. Ongoing training will be provided at our seminars and refresher training will take place to keep you abreast of any changes in legislation or best operating practice. For more information, please refer to pages 3 and 4. Where does the training take place and how long for? The induction training program will take place at our Training Academy in Nottingham. The initial induction course lasts for one week. For more information, please refer back to pages 3 and 4. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 11

14 What happens if I need help? Launching a new business can be daunting and it is our aim to support you as you launch your new business as a Century 21 UK franchisee. As well as visiting your office regularly, you will also have a dedicated point of contact for any queries that you have in your day-to-day business. In addition you will have access to regular seminars where you can meet your colleagues and share you business experiences. Century 21 UK will also provide you with training for all office staff or associates. What help will I receive to administer let properties? As a franchisee you will be able to spend all of your time sourcing new landlords and properties and finding tenants. You will charge for the services that you offer creating a major source of revenue. We provide your property management service and will deal with rent collection, deposits and maintenance issues on your behalf. For more information, please refer to page 6. We also ensure that your lease agreements are legal and current. This allows you to maximise your time sourcing and securing new business. What options do I have at the end of the franchise term? At the end of the initial term you can renew your agreement with Century 21 UK and carry on operating your sales and rental business as part of the world s largest property brand. Will I be allocated a territory? Yes, you will be allocated a protected territory around your operating location. This will be agreed prior to signing the franchise agreement. Do I have to arrange my own sale boards and property brochures? We have an established process for producing property brochures, bespoke marketing material and sale or let boards. Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 12

15 Want to find our more? 5) Register your interest today! Contact our Franchise Sales Directors using the details below: What happens next? To progress your interest in becoming a Century 21 franchisee, we require you to complete a qualification report. This allows us to undertake a fit and proper check and to work with you to share our experience to assist you in building a business plan that gives you the best chance we can of being successful. After this has been carried out, we will send you the Franchise Agreement to review. Once you have reviewed the agreement and have had all of your questions answered, we would set a date to sign the agreement, pay the initial fee and make arrangements for you to attend the induction program. Thank you for reading! Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Page 13

16 Century 21 UK Franchise Century 21 UK Franchise Opportunities Copyright Century 21 United Kingdom Each office is independently owned and operated.